MACOMB TOWNSHIP — During the clerk’s comments section of a Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting on March 25, Township Clerk Michael Koehs discussed the expiration of a six-month moratorium on oil and gas well drilling in Macomb Township.

Ford II boys soccer team knocks off De La Salle to win district title

The Utica Ford II boys soccer team took down Warren De La Salle to win a Division 1 MHSAA district championship in a match played Oct. 19 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Pictured is Ford II junior defenseman Tyler Richie, left, and De La Salle senior midfielder Brendan O'Neill. (Photo by Patricia O'Blenes)

The Utica Ford II boys soccer team took down Warren De La Salle to win a Division 1 MHSAA district championship in a match played Oct. 19 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Pictured is Ford II junior defenseman Tyler Richie, left, and De La Salle senior midfielder Brendan O'Neill. (Photo by Patricia O'Blenes)

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A diving stop by Utica Ford II senior goalkeeper Kyle Kline on a Warren De La Salle penalty shot with 42.2 seconds left in the match secured a 1-0 win for the Falcons over the Pilots in a Division 1 Michigan High School Athletic Association district final.

The game took place Oct. 19 at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley High School. The contest was a rematch of an Aug. 28 matchup, which the Pilots won 7-1.

"I just said I'd react to it wherever it goes, and that's what I did," said Kline of the shot by Pilots senior midfielder Steven Lockhart. "It was a 50/50 call. I was just watching the ball.

The Falcons (10-6-5) move on to face Grosse Pointe South in a D-1 MHSAA regional semifinal, set for Oct. 23 or Oct. 24 at Fraser High.

"This is big for them. I looked at every single one of those boys before we came out and said, 'this is it'," Ford II coach Teri Steinwascher said. "They all felt good. I told them it was just another game with a different title and that they just need to go play, and that's what they did."

"We weren't really playing with a lot of passion, and that puts your back against the wall," Pilots coach Reid Friedrichs said. "They capitalized on a chance and put a lot of pressure on us, and that's what they did."

Falcons junior midfielder Costa Wells scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal with 26:38 to play in the match. Wells got a shot past De La Salle sophomore keeper Jacob Townsley after a pass from sophomore defenseman Kevin Kelly put the pass right on his foot.

"I just stepped in and the ball was right in front of me — left foot, side netting," said Wells, who didn't play in Ford II's Oct. 17 district semifinal.

The teams ended the first half in a scoreless tie, as shots on goal were a premium. One Ford II shot sailed just over the crossbar with 16:59 to play in the half. Kline caught a couple of balls in the breadbasket to stop the De La Salle threats.